News

Only way to rebuild the economy is the IMF – President

Published

2 years ago

February 21, 2023

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has acknowledged that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the only institution that can support a struggling country like Sri Lanka, and therefore, if there are alternative proposals to the government’s program, he is willing to provide the opportunity to submit them to the IMF.

He also criticized political parties for playing games and lying to the people without presenting their proposals.

“There is only one way to rebuild this collapsed economy. That is the International Monetary Fund. Different political parties are presenting different stories. I suggested to them to let me know if there is another way to resurrect the collapsed economy,” he said.

The President said this during a meeting with businessmen and lawyers in the Kandy district.

He also noted that the government has completed 15 points assigned during the negotiations with the IMF.

“The government started negotiations with the International Monetary Fund last August. Accordingly, it was possible to agree on the staff level agreement in September. They assigned us fifteen tasks to complete. The International Monetary Fund gave us until December 31 to implement it. But we couldn’t do it on that particular day. Then we made plans to get time until January 31st. Even at that time, we were unable to complete those 15 points. Finally, the deadline was pushed back to February 15. By 06:00 pm on February 15th, we completed all that was expected of us and sent them to Washington.”

“Only one of these fifteen issues was being delayed. It is related to the increase in electricity tariffs. The Electricity Board incurs Rs.230 billion each year in losses. According to the International Monetary Fund, government taxes should not be used to support institutions. It was informed that if this occurs, the International Monetary Fund will not provide assistance. However, one person in this country opposed the decision to increase the electricity tariff.”

“As a result, receiving assistance from the International Fund was delayed by six weeks. Alternatively, we could have completed this by the end of January. All 15 tasks assigned to us have been completed. Now it is up to the International Monetary Fund.”

News

Copper strips of CMC lightning conductor stolen!

Published

54 mins ago

October 8, 2024

editor

The Cinnamon Gardens Police has informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday (Oct. 07) that copper strips of the lightning conductor installed to secure the properties of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) have been stolen despite the deployment of 97 security officers.

Following a complaint made by the CMC’s Chief Security Officer – Ashoka Jayaratne, investigations based on CCTV footage are being carried on to arrest suspects, the police had added, submitting a report to the Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage.

In his complaint, Mr. Jayaratne had stated that a 6 1/2-foot section of the copper strip had been cut off from the building where the lightning conductor has been installed.

Also, a 75 metre section of the copper strip located on the building roof has been cut off.

In addition, a 10-foot section of the copper strip has also been cut off from the building the building housing the child care centre.

(Source : Aruna)

Entertainment

Jackie Chan’s ‘Panda Plan’ movie premieres in Beijing

Published

1 hour ago

October 8, 2024

editor

A new panda-themed film with world-renowned action movie star Jackie Chan as the leading actor was premiered in Beijing on Sep. 28.

It tells a story about an international Kung Fu star who fights against a criminal group to rescue a panda.

At the premiere, Chan shared his understanding on the purpose of this movie.

“I always want to shoot a movie about panda, but I don’t know how to get it started, until director Zhang Luan approached me. With this film, I hope more children around the world will know pandas, and know how cute these creatures are, who represent friendship and peace,” he said.

Several Chinese film stars also attended the premiere, where they expressed how Chan has inspired and motivated them.

“After all these years, you are still making movies. I think you put audience, Chinese people in your heart. I could learn a lot from you,” said Sun Honglei, an actor.

“See Jackie still presenting such wonderful action movie for us, I’m really moved,” said Wang Zhi, an actress.

(CCTV +)

News

Heavy showers to continue

Published

2 hours ago

October 8, 2024

editor

The Meteorology Department has said that the Intertropical Convergence Zone, where winds from the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere converge, will further affectnn the island’s weather.

Accordingly, showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, it said.

Showers or thundershowers will occur elsewhere at several places in the island during the afternoon or night.

Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and Eastern provinces and in Galle, Matara and Puttalam districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.